Finally!!!

We've all heard of writer's block. What about reader's block? I used to read voraciously, and even though I didn't have as much time, when I got my Kindle, I read a lot, devouring books, especially as I was still on the bus, so I could read there, at doctors' offices, etc., although I wasn't great at reading at home. Even when I got hit and broke my ankle, I spent that three months at home listening to music rather than reading. Then I got my car, and I was often on the go, and still not feeling like reading when I was at home. I still downloaded books (mostly free), and occasionally charged the Kindle or read short passages from it or out of print books from the library, but generally, no reading from cover to cover.

Then, a couple of weeks ago, I got the print copy of Mindset from the library and started to read it, enjoyed it enough to download the Kindle book using a credit I'd gotten so I'd have it to refer back to when I wished, although that was mainly read away from home. I finished it, and then the other day, while I was at YKWIA's and he was asleep, I read, first some passages from Aristotle, and then a book I've been trying to read for something like four years now, the Charlaine Harris Harper Connelly series finale, Grave Secret. The others I'd read from the library during my earlier reading phase, and then, I got it from the library and just couldn't get into it, even though it was interesting. It wasn't the book, it was my reader's block--I also stalled on Jim Butcher's Small Favor, and I love the Dresden Files. So I eventually thought, well, maybe if they were on Kindle, and neither were available for download from the library, so I got both from Amazon. But, still, even though I was taking my Kindle with me everywhere I went, I'd rarely read.

And then, a couple of weeks ago, about the time I got the Mindset book from the library, I downloaded the audiobook version of Grave Secret from the library and listened to the first few chapters of it. And then I picked the Kindle back up, and started reading the story for myself, and I've steadily read a little, at home, and then the other day at my friend's house, and today I actually sat in bed with the study pillow behind me and finished the last quarter of the book. Yay!

So, not only have I finally finished a fiction book for the first time in, well, a long time, at least a year, I finished the book that I was blocked on, and I finally know what happened to Harper's sister Cameron. So, hopefully I will be able to read without that block in place more and more. It's sad when you're a librarian who loves to read, but simply doesn't ever feel like doing so. Now that's hopefully over.

When I got home this evening

the first thing I did was fire up the laptop for the purpose of working on the game notes, as Brenda can play tomorrow after all. I have eaten, caught up on the news, checked Facebook, and now realise that I am actively avoiding doing them. So it'll probably be my standard late night typing frenzy again this weekend.

I'd brought the computer with me to my friends' house today, but with taking A to get his haircut, visiting with YKWIA, going to the grocery store, going by Gumbo Ya Ya's, and watching an episode of 'Lost Girl' and some YouTube videos, I never even opened it. I didn't seriously think I would, but sometimes it happens. For example, yesterday I got over there, and YKWIA let me in, then went to sleep before I even put my stuff down, having gone back to the bed. So I read some Aristotle he'd suggested (on the four causes) and some of Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris. A had been working late, so we woke YKWIA up when he got home. When I got home last night, I was pretty sleepy (yesterday was an early day at work), so I went on to bed myself.

I've been a little out of sorts all day. I love A, but he can chatter, and that annoyed me more than usual. The TV was way too loud for me. That sort of thing. I stopped at a stop light with A in the car and then started to go like it was a stop sign, with a car starting to go through the light from the other side. I stopped in time, but I was just not quite together today. Eating helped, but not entirely. I'm not sure what the deal is; I've felt like I was in a fog, and when we got home and went to eat, I checked my blood sugar and it was fine, so it wasn't that. I guess it was just an off day, and I think according to my calendar it's almost time for my menstrual cycle to start, so maybe that was part of it.

Okay, now I'm just delaying when I shouldn't. Those notes aren't going to transcribe themselves. :)

Today I was off from work

I had a nerve-wracking drive across town early this morning to see my psychiatrist, and the gas light was on the whole way (it had gone off yesterday, but then it came back on this morning). I hadn't been able to get in touch with the my friends the day before to ask if they could help me out, so I just went over on a wing and a prayer. The doctor (finally) got the notes from my psychological testing and gave me a sample package of Strattera, a medication I'd been on before for my Attention-Deficit Disorder. Before though, I don't think we went as far up in the dosage as this will be eventually. My experience before was that Adderall seemed to have more effect, but it also may have made my heart race a few times, so he thought the Strattera would be safer. Also, it works through the day and night, as opposed to the others, plus, it's not a controlled substance, so I don't have to pee in a cup monthly to be sure I'm not abusing or selling my meds. So, we'll try it and see. I see him in a month for my other refills.

I went over to my friends' house afterwards, again, just praying I wouldn't run out of gas. A had called right before my meeting with the doctor, and I'd explained the situation. We visited for awhile and then about 1 pm I went and got gas, and then I took them to run an important errand. Then I dropped YKWIA off at their house and took A with me to my orthopaedic appointment, as he had a nearby doctor's appointment himself in a little over an hour after mine. It took awhile to be seen--I thought we were going to be late to his appointment. The EMG shows carpal tunnel, but very mild, so while it could be causing my symptoms, it could also be arthritis, which I definitely have in my thumbs. The doctor suggested giving me cortisone shots in my wrists to see if it got better; if it does, it very well could be carpal tunnel, although it's rare that it would come back. If not, it may be the arthritis and the fact that my ulna (the smaller long bone in the lower arm) is congenitally short on both sides. And my left wrist has been broken at some point in my life, unbeknownst to me, so that's an interesting tidbit I didn't know before going about the pain in my hands. Then he had me talk things over with an occupational therapist on exercises that could help and things I should do at work. I'm going to have the occupational therapy department at work do an ergonomic study of my desk setup. He said the fact I had a drawer that went under the desk may be a problem, depending on the height of my chair, as it tends to make the wrists extend up. He also thought I should brace my wrists loosely at night to keep them from flexing one way or the other. So basically they're treating it like carpal tunnel in the hopes it won't get worse. The cortisone shots hurt a bit but not nearly as much as I expected, and the syringe and needle weren't terribly intimidating. He did it quickly and it wasn't too bad, actually.

After my appointment, we went over to A's, an office where we share a doctor. I think I fell asleep out in the waiting room, when I should have read for a bit. Then we went back to their house and then out to Captain D's to pick up food. YKWIA and I watched an episode of 'Lost Girl' and then one of 'The Vampire Diaries'. We were all tired after a full day and I came on home just before dark. I've been working on some photos for my characters, gleaned from the Internet, which I can put on my character sheets.

Okay, I think I'm going to go read some of Grave Secret, by Charlaine Harris, for a bit, and then maybe call it a night. I did find out that my car will go at least 25 miles on its gas light, so yay for that. It's back to work tomorrow morning. It was a busy day at work today (many, many kids in clinic), so I'll have lots of data entry to catch up on. :) It was nice to have the day off, and important to, although I think I have exhausted my PTO except what I'll accrue over this pay period, which isn't great, as Labour Day is almost here. I should have that covered, though, if I can manage to keep my time on an even keel. I stayed late the other day to help make up time from my EMG. I'll go in a little early tomorrow morning, if I can, to help with that. I think I'm just a half hour off my time at this point. Have a good night.

A little excited

Next Monday, May 11th, Charlaine Harris is doing a ticketed book signing at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington at 7 pm. I must admit, it would be nice to go. I've read the Aurora Teagarden, Sookie Stackhouse, and Harper Connelly series, as well as part of Midnight Crossroad, which is on my Kindle and is the pre-cursor to the one she's signing, Day Shift. Strange for a librarian, I suppose, but I've never actually been to a book signing. Of course, if I get the physical book of Day Shift signed, then I'll have to eventually get the first book in hardback, too. :) I have the Sookie Stackhouse books in book club hardbacks, most of the Aurora Teagarden books, which are about a librarian-turned-sleuth, in paperback (still working on that, through PaperbackSwap.com). The others I've read through the library or on my Kindle. We'll see. I'm not a great fan of crowds. If I go, I'll report back here.

Sorry I haven't blogged in a couple of days. Sunday I came home a little early because Brenda had a meeting so we cut the game a couple of hours short. I went straight to bed for a couple of hours and then called YKWIA at 9:30 (I set an alarm) so he'd be able to watch 'Salem'. But he recorded it so A and I could watch it later. Monday was a friend's '5th birthday' in a 12-step programme and we went to his celebration. It lasted till 9 or 9:30. I got home around 11 pm, and had to be up at 6 am, so I didn't get much sleep as it was and couldn't really bring myself to blog. But I'm glad I went, and I got to meet his co-worker/distant cousin, who came as well.

Today was one of my early days at work, so I was able to leave by 4 for an appointment with the allergist and my allergy shot. One more shot and I'll be ready to go up a step in the shots. I'm feeling much better than I was because I'm on a medicine called levocetirizine that is related to Zyrtec. It's been really helping with my allergies.

Tonight is 'iZombie', which I heard was picked up for next season, so yay! That's at 9. I think I'll take a little nap before heading over there to watch. Hope you are enjoying your week, so far!

Some improvement, anyway

Today I was free after work. I came home, took out the trash (although not the recyclables, but still, every bit helps). I watched three episodes of 'The Big Bang Theory'. I spent some time on the computer. About seven I did drop off to sleep, and I woke up at 10:45. Then a friend called and we spoke briefly. So I didn't go straight to sleep on getting home, had a little fun, but it would be good to work things up to having a whole evening by myself without falling asleep.

This week seems to be going by somewhat slowly compared the last few. I was really pleased this afternoon when I took my blood sugar for lunch and it was not only merely 84, but also I didn't feel low symptoms or anything. I think my body is starting to adjust to lower, more normal, glucose levels--yay!

I think I'm going to try to read a bit before going back to bed. I have the last of the Sookie Stackhouse books on a shelf by my bed, and I noticed Amazon has a preorder of a 'what happened to everyone after the series ended' book coming out soon. Ingenious marketing, by the way. JK Rowling just did hers in an epilogue of the last book. Charlaine Harris did an alphabetical listing of characters from her series with what happened to whom that fills over 200 pages. If I don't want to get into any spoilers, I should read last novel soon, so I'm going to try to start tonight.

Apparently

if Taco Bell leaves off part of your order, they have a book they write your name and the item down in, and then you can come back at your leisure and pick it up. It's not ideal, I suppose, but it's keeping me from answering the survey about how I had to repeat my order twice, make sure they gave me diet instead of sugared soda, and I had to ask for a straw. Still, I'm relatively happy with my meal, if not the service. I'll stop by when I go out to have my hair cut or such today.

I got my package picked up. For two books, it's fairly large; the Pippi collection is about 8" x 10" x 1" in terms of dimensions. It was nice to get something from Amazon, as I haven't ordered anything in about a month or so. The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking includes Pippi Longstocking, Pippi Goes on Board, and Pippi in the South Seas, all of which I loved as a child. {Not so, YKWIA, who I think grumbled about a wretched child when I mentioned it.) I'm curious as to whether I will enjoy them as much as an adult. I still have Gary Corby's The Ionian Sanction to read before Sacred Games, but I really liked The Pericles Commission, with its mix of history and humour. I also love the colours and illustrations of the American hardcover dust jackets, so much that having read the first book on the Kindle, I bought the book again in hardback for the cover. The first book's jacket background was a brilliant blue, the second a kind of terracotta. This one is yellow, with Greek redware-style wrestlers, the sacred flame of the ancient Olympic games, with Nicolaos and Diotima peeking in. I approve of the fact that, true to art form and nature, there is no attempt to pretend the naked wrestlers are, well, not naked, even though it's on a book cover. (Okay, like most penises of Greek art, it's tiny, so most people who would be easily shocked, probably couldn't tell, but here in the States, people get bent out of shape for the silliest things, like whether a Greek wrestler, who should be naked, is.) :)

PS Ooh, I just put the books together and it turns out they're not the same size. :( Looks like the imprint at least changed. Oh, well, it's not the end of the world, but I really do prefer series books to be uniform. This is why I bought Dead Ever After, the final Sookie Stackhouse book by Charlaine Harris, from the Science Fiction Book Club, because I'd gotten the others through there and their editions were smaller than the general market ones. Sigh. I know, what's important is what's inside the cover, and I'm being a little OCD. But for those publishers out there, consider that readers have such strange quirks. In the meantime, I've added the books to my to-read pile (which is growing quickly). Maybe before I tackle the house I'll actually do a bit of reading.

What a day

It did take two tries, but I did get my passport application in. I should get it in about six weeks. I even took a fairly nice photo that YKWIA described as 'perky'. Afterwards I went by the pharmacy and got medicine for three people, then went and got some food from Texas Roadhouse and ate with YKWIA and A. YKWIA and I watched some YouTube videos that were wonderful as they debunked a lot of conspiracy theories, and then I decided to head on home about 8:30 or so. I'm just now sitting down and deciding what to do next. Given that I 1) need to do notes, 2) could have some fun watching videos, or 3) am so tired I could just go straight to bed, I am somewhat in a quandry. Notes will probably be pushed to tomorrow night, although, as usual, that's last minute. What I really want to do is take a shower, put my jammies on and get comfortable, maybe listen to some music for a bit. Basically, I need to relax. There were lots of frustrations today and a great deal of traffic to navigate, as I think I spent my day, about 9:30-6:30 running full tilt.

For tomorrow, I plan on:

1. Going to the farmer's market (for real this weekend)
2. Doing some laundry (at my friends' house if possible, and then the hand washables at home later)
3. Getting the car washed and detailed (A is treating me to this, which is great)
4. Doing game notes

That's doable, I think. For now, though, I'm going to listen to my plushie cat that plays 'Soft Kitty', get into a sleep shirt, and go into the bedroom for a bit. Maybe I'll even read for a bit. I have the latest (and last) of Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire Series (the one 'True Blood' is based upon, with Sookie Stackhouse as the main character) and I'm interested in how she'll end it. :)

A rare day of absolute leisure

I've mostly been reading Charlaine Harris' Dead Reckoning, finishing it and then napping. I'm about to go on to Deadlocked, the newest Sookie Stackhouse book.

I haven't just sat down and read for hours in a long time; it's usually short forays at lunch or waiting for the bus. This was luxurious. I think I may watch a DVD later so that I can send it back and start getting the episodes of 'True Blood' to see how different it is. But today is unusual in that I haven't spoken to a soul, I haven't been out of the apartment--I've read, napped, looked at the news on the Internet, blogged a bit, eaten a little, and that's about it. Tomorrow should be much different!

Yesterday we didn't play the game, although I went over to do some things over there and visit, and ate a wonderful frittata with salad and broccoli soup. But as weekends go, this has been fairly relaxing. I should have a day to myself more often, although of course I enjoy being with other people, too.

Okay, I'm going back to reading. Hope you're getting your batteries recharged, too.

I found out yesterday

that a book that I thought was coming out this October actually came out last October, and just now saw that it is available at the library for check out. It's Grave Secret, by Charlaine Harris, part of the Harper Connelly mysteries. Must stop by tomorrow on my way to work and hopefully it will still be there.

And you thought I just read books on my Kindle, now, didn't you? :)

A thoroughly library kind of day

Today I:

1. Worked on a grant that has helped keep the library books updated (my budget mostly goes to keeping the medical journals afloat, leaving little to spare). I need to report on what I've done this year so far, what I plan to do in the remaining months, and I also have to get together what I plan to do for next year so hopefully we can get it again.
2. Sent a rush interlibrary loan to another library.
3. Did the data entry work. I actually didn't have a chance to do any insurance verification today because there were some fairly complex things to enter for my regular post-library work.
4. Took some books back to the branch library I use. I was asked if I was a librarian (all three books I checked out had librarian in the title). So I chatted a bit with the lady there.
5. Picked up two books and two 7-day DVDs (since I can watch DVDs on the TV again). The books are Crimes by Moonlight, which is edited by Charlaine Harris (author of the Southern Vampire Mysteries, of which I finished the latest novel as of yesterday). It's a 14-day book, so I must remember to take it back earlier than normal. But it's a collection of short stories, so I should be able to read them in that time. There's also Tall, Dark, and Dead, part of a series I've never read by Tate Hallaway. As far as DVDs, I got Whale Rider, which I've wanted to watch for some time, and Flags of Our Fathers. My own grandfather was at Iwo Jima, the subject of the film. I'm hoping to understand more about what went on there through it.
6. Found the name of a collection of short stories related to the Sookie Stackhouse universe and downloaded that to my Kindle while I was there.
7. Went to leave and saw the poster to the right. Now, as a good citizen I can see why reporting suspicious behaviour could be considered patriotic and good. But it was a little creepy to see an appeal to inform on others in a library. It seemed to have shades of, well, not dystopia, but some sort of control of the citizenry through information. That's how it struck me anyway.
8. Found a copy of American Libraries in my mailbox when I got home.
9. Checked out something online I saw in 'American Libraries Direct'--an e-mail newsletter I get--that is really, really great if you're an HP Lovecraft fan. It's a webcomic that started back in 2008 called 'Lovecraft is Missing'. I've read chapter one, which brings me up to installments from January 2009, and I'm hooked. It's spooky. The art and writing both capture the flavour of Lovecraft's work. And the central character is a librarian whose job is to acquire books so they do not wind up in the hands of cultists who would do unspeakable things with the knowledge.

Anyway, that was my day so far. How about you?

It's a beautiful day

Reading: Club Dead by Charlaine Harris

although I slept through some of it, given that that Saturday and Sunday nights I had four hours' worth of sleep each and last night I had a complete emotional purge and breakdown when some very deep psychological wounds were opened up and debrided. I think in the long run, I needed it. It let me know some of the things I have to change in my life. I was up pretty late with that, and overwrought, then came home and left my usual monthly libation to Hekate, praying I would find my way. I suppose it's good to approach a Goddess of madness when you're dealing with strong emotions, because afterwards I was calm and drained. As a result, today I overslept by over two hours and missed an appointment that unfortunately wasn't mine to miss (I was taking someone to theirs). So it wasn't a good beginning of the day.

I wound up doing my couple of hours of notes and then coming back home to rest, sleeping from 1 pm to about 5:30. It was nice to have an open window with the sun and a breeze streaming in, the forsythia outside blazing yellow. I went out to get some distilled water, quarters for laundry, and laundry detergent. As I was driving I noticed a big soap bubble drifting on the breeze, then another. Apparently someone was making bubbles, but there was no one in sight. There's no telling how far those bubbles made it. It was a cheering thought.

My clothes are drying now and then afterwards I'm going to head over to a friend's for awhile. In addition to laundry I also did a little organising. I'm trying to find two books. One is a collector's book for those state quarters, of which I have a few to put in. The other is Wizard for Hire, a compilation of the first three books of Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files series. I'd like to read that once I get through re-reading the three Sookie Stackhouse mysteries I own. But I can't find it anywhere...just its dust jacket. I have the second three now and I'd like to finish the first three, but I have to find it first. I actually ventured into my closets, which mainly contain comics and literature/general fiction/children's literature.

I'm off tomorrow (I've actually been off Monday and today, too) for my birthday and I'm thinking of going to the lunch buffet at India Garden, a new Indian restaurant near me. Afterwards maybe I'll sort through and straighten some things and see if I can find those books. I also need to get a haircut and renew my driver's licence soon.

I feel like tomorrow is a new year. I guess it is for me personally. I'll be forty-one. It's time for me to really embrace my age, to let go of the bad things about my childhood (which comprise most of it) and work on doing things I've dreamt about. I need to really get a sense of self, so that I can finally have some self-esteem and perhaps a relationship. I feel so empty sometimes. For years I was a mirror to anyone else who paid the slightest attention to me. I've worked very hard at being what they wanted me to be, to not living up to my own potential so that I would not surpass them, to turning off my brain and refusing to use my intelligence. It's left me with incredible depths of anger and resentment. I tapped into those last night, and they didn't so much scare me as sadden me. I am more than just anger. I am more than just neurons firing randomly to produce emotions. It's like inside I am a charred, twisted child afraid of the light, yet at the same time I have a luminous and good spirit. I need to heal the one and join them together. I haven't been living life very deeply, and I need to while there is still life to live.

Random post

Reading: Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

Listening to Phil Collins' 'In the Air Tonight', a great song:



and for good measure, one of my favourite songs by Genesis (of which Phil Collins is a member), 'No Son of Mine'



Anyone who knows me well can probably figure out why I identify with the song.

I think I need to get my CD to We Can't Dance out and listen to it. :) Okay, time to go to bed. I have to work 8 hours tomorrow, plus do notes.

Home safely, for now

Reading: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (a favourite mystery writer--her Aurora Teagarden mysteries have a librarian as protagonist--and well, I'm not sure where you'd put the vampire stuff...it's not exactly horror, mystery, or romance, but a bit of all three).

So we're in the midst of our first (and presumably only at this late date) substantial winter storm, getting a mix of snow and ice right now and expecting 6-10 inches of snow by tomorrow afternoon. I, of course, did my nightly midnight run to pick up a friend who works second shift. Fortunately we decided against the grocery run tonight, so I am home where it is warm not out in the wind having ice pelt against me. The roads weren't bad at all yet and the snowploughs are out doing what they can. It should be interesting when I wake up tomorrow, and of course I work 10 hours then.

I did stop at a gas station on the way that had not changed its price today. It was at $2.14 a gallon and most of the stations in town jumped up to $3.25. (It's the same company I work for--I suspect the manager forgot to change it before he left.) I was ranting about the prices being jacked up when YKWIA thought I should take a page from the eco-terrorist group ELF and torch a gas station in protest (okay, Homeland Security, he was joking). He said I needed an acronym of my own and came up on the spot with TROLL (Terribly Rabid Overweight Liberal Librarian). (Yes, this is my best friend of 20 years--with friends like these....) Seriously, all ribbing aside, I had to admit it was funny. And Trolls can beat up Elves anyday, though they aren't so nice to look at. (Just for the record, I consider myself to be environmentally conscious--and was before it became trendy--but I don't believe any cause is helped by those who blow up things, destroy property, and who do so without regard for human life.)

At $3.25 a gallon I'm going to hear a lot of complaints/possibly deal with drive-offs tomorrow. Maybe everyone will stay home. I guess we won't have many car wash sales then. Of course, by Sunday it's supposed to be clear yet cold and by Tuesday it'll be in the 50s. Welcome to Kentucky weather.

YKWIA is always on the lookout for blog material for me, since he finds such interesting and random things online. Today's haul included the following videos, which didn't so much harm him (he's Jewish--all will be self-evident) as leave him just staring at the screen in disbelief. They threw him. (Chuckle). I, for one, found the first to be great. I wish my Hebrew was better to read the slogans in the second one.)

'Japanese Fiddler on the Roof'


(I figure lots of Europeans, including Jewish ones, play Japanese people in theatre (I give you the Mikado, for example). Why not Japanese playing Jews?)

Then there are the Japanese Jews who converge upon Israel once a year in pilgrimage...


According to YKWIA, they are singing a song about the Sabbath. I love the blend of Japanese and Jewish culture. The cranes of peace with Shalom are perfect. How does he find these things?

Brain Hurt. Elvis Undead.

Well, I finished a rather enjoyable firstSookie Stackhouse novel (Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris). The absolute strength is the author's grasp and portrayal of rural Southern culture--warts and all, without stereotype, but rather as people often are. (and it took me back to my childhood near Shreveport, Louisiana). Reading it in print really reminds me just how cracked we all are. :) Sookie's grandmother's could have been my great-grandmother, and the same could be said about her house.

There were times it seemed a little forced, like a pale attempt at being the next Laurell K. Hamilton. (Yes I must have a vampire and a shape-changer after my booty, but my vamp is a regular gentleman from the Civil War who who just wants a normal life and my shapechanger can be anything he wants, but prefers collie, but let's rationalise around the whole dead part. Oh, and Elvis likes to be called Bubba and has a fondness for cats. For breakfast.)

Both have an incredible amount of humour and great characterisation (although Hamilton wins in the latter). Harris' strength is really how well she portrays her town of Bon Temps. I'm just into the series of course. A lot of the structure regarding vampire powers and culture that underlies Hamilton's books is missing, but then that's something that developed over time, and I'm sure it will in Harris' as well. Hamilton's biggest flaw is that in her attempt to show Anita Blake's development into a supernatural whoopass, they get more and more violent and sexual to the point of gratuity, eclipsing Anita's character, the very strength of the series. So, I'm interested to see how Harris' development will go.

For the record, I also love Tanya Huff's Vicky Nelson series. Again, the strength is in the characterisation and setting.

I have a story I've been working out for some time in a similar vein set here in Lexington, with a different concept but hopefully I'll do as well in terms of building the scenery and players. One of these days you might just see it. :)

Okay, I have an hour and a half before I pick someone up and don't want to fall asleep. I have a splitting headache because I have forgotten to take my medicine several days in a row, so I'm off to do that and sink into the second in the series Living Dead in Dallas.